1. Are you a “Spiritual” person?
The question is one asked often.
Interestingly, in our time even individuals who do not believe in God may answer yes to the question.
Our purpose in this lesson is threefold
To establish that there is an objective way to determine whether one is a truly a “spiritual” person
To define and quantify what makes a person “spiritual”
To affirm the necessity of being a spiritual person. (It is, as the text notes, an aspect of our standing with God)
It is important for us to know how people generally define spirituality. This way, when we come across such points of view, we will be able first to understand what they are saying, then give a defense for the truths of God.
Print 1,3,4,7,8,9
“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5)

2. Modern views of Spirituality
“A relatively more understandable opinion on the definition of spirituality is that spirituality is a state or experience that can provide individuals with direction or meaning, or provide feelings of understanding, support, inner wholeness or connectedness. Connectedness can be to themselves, other people, nature, the universe, God, or some other supernatural power.”
Most people view the concept of spirituality subjectively. That each is free to define the term as he wishes. Consider the following quotes from individuals presented as “experts” in the field of spiritual matters…
"A relatively more understandable opinion on the definition of spirituality is that spirituality is a state or experience that can provide individuals with direction or meaning, or provide feelings of understanding, support, inner wholeness or connectedness. Connectedness can be to themselves, other people, nature, the universe, God, or some other supernatural power.“ (Kamran Mofid, “for the common good” Initiative)
This quote shows that a popular sentiment, that the definition of spirituality is a subjective thing. A matter of opinion.
Note that inner wholeness or connectedness is the intent. (However, the person or thing to which one connects varies, and need not involve God).

3. Modern views of Spirituality
“Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life.”
Taking Charge of your Health and Well Being, University of Minnesota website
“Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life.”
(Taking Charge of your Health and Well Being, University of Minnesota website)
Again, note the subjective nature of the definition “man perspectives.”
NOT saying the definition is not accurate. Words mean what culture intends they mean.
HOWEVER, this is not the way the concept of spirituality is defined in scripture.

4. Spiritual, but not religious
“Can one be spiritual without religious faith? One can. All one needs is to be open to someone else's concerns, fears, and hopes, and to make him or her feel less alone, less abandoned.”
Elie Wiesel, President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
“Can one be spiritual without religious faith? One can. All one needs is to be open to someone else's concerns, fears, and hopes, and to make him or her feel less alone, less abandoned.”
Elie Wiesel, President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
This concept, of being spiritual, but not religious, is a popular one in our culture today.
Note again the concept of connectedness in the quote. Here, a connection with another human being.
This is, of course, a good thing! Scripture expresses the same sentiment.
(Philippians 2:1-4), “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
But, for the sake of our lesson today, scripture clearly reveals that you can’t be spiritual without being religious!

5. Spiritual, but not religious
“it means something about organized religion. It means something about forming my own way rather than having someone tell me what the way is. It means picking and choosing among options and putting that together.”
Pamela Dickey Young, a professor of religion and culture at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario
Pamela Dickey Young, a professor of religion and culture at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., says that when “spiritual, but not religious” language turns up in everyday conversation, “it means something about organized religion. It means something about forming my own way rather than having someone tell me what the way is. It means picking and choosing among options and putting that together.” (Quote taken from the official website of the United Church of Canada, ucobserver.com).
A large part of our world today is antagonistic of religion (as narrow minded, one size fits all, needlessly confining).
They do no want to be told “what the way is.”
Compare this to the words of our Lord…
(John 14:6), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Our contention is that you CAN’T truly be spiritual UNLESS you are religious. With that in mind, lets see how the Bible defines spirituality.

6. Bible Definition of Spiritual
(pneumatikos)
“Belonging to the Divine Spirit, of God the Holy Spirit, one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God” (Thayer).
The word “spirituality is not found in scripture. However, the term is defined by Webster as: “the quality or state of being spiritual”
The word spiritual is found in scripture… Pneumatikos (Several different definitions, depending upon the usage in any particular passage. However, one definition directly impacts our discussion of the subject.
Thayer Definition:
1) relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ (contrasted with physical)
3) belonging to the Divine Spirit; 3a) of God the Holy Spirit; 3b) one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God
4) pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing
SCRIPTURES TEACH BY CONTEXT WHAT SPIRITUALITY TRULY IS:
CLICK to SEE PASSAGES regarding CONTEXT:

7. Bible Definition of Spiritual
(pneumatikos)
“Belonging to the Divine Spirit, of God the Holy Spirit, one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God” (Thayer).
1 Corinthians 2:13-16; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Galatians 6:1; Colossians 1:9-12
(1 Corinthians 2:13-16), “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
A spiritual person is one whose wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit (through the scripture) rather than man’s wisdom. Note: This directly contradicts the view today that we can define spiritual in accord with our own thinking and preferences.
A spiritual person is one who has the mind of Christ!
(1 Corinthians 3:1-4), “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”
A spiritual person is one who is NOT carnally minded. In this case, carnality (wordliness, the flesh) is seen in a divisive spirit.
A spiritual person is one who does NOT behave like a “mere” man, but has been renewed in mind, and as such acts differently! (cf. Romans 12:1-2).
(Galatians 6:1), “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
A spiritual person is one who is NOT overtaken in trespass or sin
A spiritual person is one who is interested and involved in the spiritual welfare of his brethren
(Colossians 1:9-12), “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
A spiritual person is a wise and understanding person, who is aware of God’s will and does it
With these thoughts in mind, let’s examine Paul’s words in Galatians 5, to see how to be a spiritual person!
3. How to be a spiritual person
Conclusion: (Reference again 1 Peter 2 from intro. Read entire context)
1. Consider that if there is truly a God, who is the head of the spiritual realm, He will define what spirituality is.
2. To believe in a "higher power", but not acknowledge His control of the spiritual realm is illogical and self-serving.
3. God has revealed what spirituality is. We can't OBJECTIVELY call ourselves spiritual unless we heed His instructions

8. How to be a Spiritual Person
(Galatians 5:16-26)
Recognize the tug-of-war for all who are seeking to be spiritual (Romans 7:23-25)
Avoid the lusts of the flesh (Romans 8:1)
Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:10-11)
(Galatians 5:16-26), “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Recognize the tug-of-war for all who are seeking to be spiritual
(Romans 7:23-25), “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Avoid the lusts of the flesh
(Romans 8:1), “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit
(2 Peter 1:10-11), “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

9. Conclusion
We can’t objectively call ourselves Spiritual unless we acknowledge God, and heed His instructions!
1. Consider that if there is truly a God, who is the head of the spiritual realm, He will define what spirituality is.
2. To believe in a "higher power", but not acknowledge His control of the spiritual realm is illogical and self-serving.
3. God has revealed what spirituality is. We can't OBJECTIVELY call ourselves spiritual unless we heed His instructions
(1 Peter 2:5, 9-10),
(5), “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
(9-10), “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.“